Dawson said Michigan State doesn't expect the game will resemble the teams' first meeting, a 75-52 Spartans win at Breslin Center on Feb. 12.

Indeed, Dawson said he knows he will have his hands full with Wolverines' sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr., who had an uncharacteristic 1-of-11 shooting night, including 0-for-5 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is already on record saying Hardaway Jr. will — not might — but will, shoot better.

It's up to Dawson to try to limit how much better Hardaway Jr. plays.

"I know he's going to bring it and be more aggressive,'' Dawson said. "He was settling for jump shots last time. He's the kind of guy, you turn your head and look for a screen, and he'll be gone.''

Dawson said he'll spend much of the game at Michigan chasing Hardaway Jr. and dodging the screens set by Mitch McGary and Jordan Morgan that are designed to get Hardaway Jr. space to shoot.

"You have to stay focused and you can't relax; you relax, it will be a 3 in your face,'' Dawson said. "You have to trail him out every time, we call it a `Charlie Bell,' trail defense.''

Michigan is coming off a shocking 84-78 loss at Penn State on Wednesday, but Dawson said that means nothing to Michigan State.

"Penn State gave us a real good game there, too,'' Dawson said, recalling how Michigan State struggled before pulling out an 81-72 victory on Jan. 16. "That's the Big Ten, you can never relax.''

The Spartans had this week off, but there was no time for leisure.

"We have worked to get back to what we were doing earlier, and that's playing hard and playing together,'' Dawson said. "We know Michigan will be looking to stay undefeated at home.''